Lost in the cityscape: Exploring urban homelessness, its societal imprints and policy suggestions

Abstract

This concise exposition illuminates the societal ramifications of urban homelessness by delving into the subjective experiences of homeless individuals as elucidated through an all-encompassing investigation carried out in Siliguri, India. Employing the qualitative approach based on Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT), we tried to capture the lived experiences of people experiencing homelessness. The findings divulge a multifaceted tapestry of socio-psychological factors situated at the core of the homelessness predicament, encompassing marginalization, maladaptive behaviors, vulnerability within specific demographics, and the unfulfilled entitlement to urban living. The study underscores the pressing necessity for social reappraisal, specialized support services, and policy interventions to address the extreme marginalization and isolation experienced by this vulnerable cohort. It accentuates the significance of economical housing alternatives, community-oriented shelters, accessible programs for addressing drug abuse and mental health disorders, measures promoting economic empowerment, and provision of identification cards enabling democratic rights and governmental program access. The study advocates for a comprehensive approach driven by communal collaboration to combat homelessness while ensuring inclusive and sustainable urban environments wherein every individual is entitled to their "right to the city."